Category: Green Living

Many people find that they have allergic reactions to their bedding, which is particularly problematic since about one-third of most peoples' lives is necessarily spent in bed. If you or your loved ones wake up with a stuffy nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose or fatigue, you should consider switching to bamboo bedding. Synthetic…

Many people find that they have allergic reactions to their bedding, which is particularly problematic since about one-third of most peoples' lives is necessarily spent in bed. If you or your loved ones wake up with a stuffy nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose or fatigue, you should consider switching to bamboo bedding. Synthetic and polyester bedding materials can actually trigger allergic reactions, so using natural materials is advisable. Cotton fabrics have been used for hundreds of years and are a good solution, but it has been found that bamboo is actually preferable for several reasons. Bamboo fabrics are very desirable because they are produced with non-toxic chemicals, are naturally hypoallergenic, are durable and actually become even softer the more they are used.

The natural cellulose fibers in bamboo linens are naturally anti-bacterial, and bamboo contains a unique natural agent that has anti-fungal properties. As a result, the fabric stays fresh and resists bacteria that causes odors. Bamboo is ideal for people who have highly sensitive skin because it is produced without dangerous chemicals and softening agents and has naturally hygienic properties. In addition, the fibers are exclusively able to absorb moisture and can “breathe” because of the micro-holes in the natural cellulose fiber, so bamboo is ideal for keeping the sleeper cool and comfortable in hot weather.

Bamboo linens are really the ideal “green” fabrics, as they come directly from nature and return completely back to nature at the end of their useful lives. The bamboo plants are grown on bamboo plantations in China that are very heavily managed. The plantations are in pollution-free zones, and no chemical fertilizers or pesticides are needed during the growing process because bamboo grows very quickly and does not require pesticides.

Wool is also a typical natural material used to make blankets, but it can be very scratchy and uncomfortable, especially for people with sensitive skin. Another wonderful insulating material is down feathers and down comforters are very popular, but many people are allergic to down feathers, so can not use them. So, when looking for a comforter, down substitute fillers are recommended to avoid allergies. Again, having a bamboo cover or orvet over a down-alternative-filled comforter is advisable for people with allergies.

People with allergies need also pay attention to the dyes used in creating their bedding. Certain dyes can trigger allergic reactions in some people. Because of this, it is advisable that the use of bedding that is white or beige or other neutral colors will be implemented for people with allergies, as they usually do not include these dyes. You should also look for bedding that is advertised as environmentally friendly or organic, because these typically have been produced in ways that are less toxic, both because of the milder or non-toxic chemicals involved in their production and the use of the milder dyes utilized in their designs.

It is important to avoid feather and wool bedding for another reason. Feathers and wool are favorite places for dust mites to live in. There can be hundreds of thousands of tiny dust mites in a single mattress, and they are the primary cause of allergic reactions to bedding materials. The best way to alleviate these is to cover your mattress with an allergy-resistant cover, then use allergy-resistant bedding, such as bamboo linens.

Bamboo linens are the ideal for bedding for people with allergies. Because they are naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, are odor resistant, produced using no chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and are even softer with use, they are highly recommended for reducing allergic reactions.

Work with your swimming pool builder and landscape professional to incorporate environmentally friendly items and technologies into your swimming pool area – from the pool itself to the landscaping, there are ways to go eco-friendly. Here are some items to look into going earth-friendly with your landscaping design: Recycled products, great way to go green…

Work with your swimming pool builder and landscape professional to incorporate environmentally friendly items and technologies into your swimming pool area – from the pool itself to the landscaping, there are ways to go eco-friendly. Here are some items to look into going earth-friendly with your landscaping design:

Recycled products, great way to go green : You can purchase yard fencing and outdoor furniture and items such as hot tub cabinets in recycled shells or plastic and they have the appearance of natural wood. Many of these items are made from recycled milk cartons or even soda bottles. Because these recycled items are low maintenance they can simply be hosed off or rinsed with soapy water. Unlike wooden patio furniture, they require no treatment, sealing or staining.

Harness the energy of the sun : The sun's rays can be harnessed to help heat your swimming pool water and can also help extend the swimming season by up to one month. Your builders are great resources for information on how to install solar panels and solar power energy towards your swimming pool. You can have a direct solar power system installed that draws the water into panels, heats it, then returns it to the swimming pool. Even though these systems can carry price tags of between $ 5,000 and $ 10,000 they will pay for themselves within four to five years. Another way to use solar power is to install solar lights that will illuminate your swimming pool deck area.

Reclaimed wood products: If you simply can not live without the beauty of natural wood for your deck or deck and patio furniture considering purchasing wood that is from either reclaimed or sustainable. These woods will carry a seal from the Forest Stewardship Council that certifies the wood was harvested from forests that promote conservation.

What materials are your products made from: You need to become a label reader when you're purchasing products for your home. Bamboo is a great, sustainable wood because of its rapid growth rate. Bamboo is used on many pool accessories – from towels to placemats to tables. Burn soy candles as an alternative to other types. The soy, a byproduct of soybean oil production would be thrown away if it were not recycled.

Capture the rain: Depending on the area of ​​the country in which you live, you may see a lot of rainy and there is no reason to let nature's water go to waste, right? You can capture the water that falls from your roof, filter it and store it for later use. Filtered rainwater can be used to water your law or even be used to refill your swimming pool when evaporation lowers the water levels. A rainwater system can cost between $ 4,000 and $ 6,000 but you should see a return on your investment within three to five years.

Xeriscaping is the way to go : Your landscape professionals know that lawns with non-native plants and grass lawns – especially in arid climates, require excessive amounts of water to help them thrive. A lawn that has been xeriscaped lawns readily on natural terrain and native plants and reduce water usage. These lawn types also provide natural habitats for native wildlife.

Talk with your swimming pool builder and landscape professional for further ideas on outdoor living ideas.

In the busy hubbub of daily living, it is easy to understand that people are concerned with just making ends meet and getting to the end of the week so that they can relax and take a breather over a well deserved weekend. We wait for holidays, any reply even, that alleviates the reality of…

In the busy hubbub of daily living, it is easy to understand that people are concerned with just making ends meet and getting to the end of the week so that they can relax and take a breather over a well deserved weekend. We wait for holidays, any reply even, that alleviates the reality of our living on the treadmill of life. It's survival of the fittest. It is in mans nature in so doing to preserve itself.

The problem with living in a myopic existence is that we lose sight of the bigger picture. The overall view that, when perused, promises a brighter and better future for all, including us. Longevity if you will. The only way to raise our heads from the microscopic to the macroscopic is to evoke a sense of the shared responsibility for the well- being of not only our communities, villages, towns, cities and countries but for the global family overall. And that is what we are: human, likened each to the other.

How do we evoke that ever illusive inherent sense of responsibility? Quite simply put by natural resource sustainability. We can not leave a far-reaching and legacy if the planet is overcome and overwhelmed due to the carelessness and unconscious, haphazard actions of her inhabitants. Our planet's sustainability is arrested not only due to the machinery of huge corporations out to make a quick buck no matter what the cost to the environment. Our planet's sustainability is arrested because individuals have their heads bound in defeat by daily survival. We can not care for and build a sustainable world without we come out of ourselves and focus on the faces of our lives that can make an impractable impact.

The fact is those very facets are the preservation of our natural resources. They are the capitalization of the renewable resources at our disposal. Solar energy, hydro-energy, thermal energy and biomass energy are at our very fingertips to be harnessed for the betterment of the world in which we find ourselves. Not only that, they are constructive as opposed to alternative destructive methodologies used at mankind's expense so far. How long will it take for us to learn these simple yet invaluable truths before we stand up and make a difference that will initiate lasting sustainable transformation?

In this regard it is we who need to be transformed. We, as individuals, need to undergo a change to take on the serious role of social magnitude and corporate responsibility for the management of the very resources of which we have been made answerable custodians. We are the ones who need to take ownership and stewardship of these precious precious ever life-giving gifts. Without each person makes that stewardship part of and deeply integral to their identity by consciously choosing for it, then noticeable and restorative change can not be possible. A few individuals with some good intentions can not change the course of the destiny of a world. It is a movement that will spread from the hearts and minds of single persons to making global change that will echo into the darkness with resounding success and lasting ramifications.

One can be forgiven for seeking that ever promising escape from a reality that is less than perfect. One can be forgiven for dreaming of greener pastures. Yet those greener, (to coin a phrase), pastures are exactly what we should be hankering for. One can aspire of actively contributing to and determinedly illustrating our measure of nationality that is left for those who are to follow in our footsteps. We need that sense of immediate urgency, not only for our children but for the generations that will most certainly come after them and their children's children. You and I have the power to ignite and fan to flame a generation of live-wires that can change the face of our future.

Urban farming is one of the fastest growing trends for city dwellers, combining the hustle and bustle of the city life with the down to earth nature of growing and tending your own food. Urban farming is not a new trend per say, but with growing concerns over foods safety and a demand for organic…

Urban farming is one of the fastest growing trends for city dwellers, combining the hustle and bustle of the city life with the down to earth nature of growing and tending your own food. Urban farming is not a new trend per say, but with growing concerns over foods safety and a demand for organic and pesticide free food, many are finding it easier to grow it themselves, than risk the cross contamination of harmful substances.

If you're looking to start your own urban farming, congratulations on taking the first step to an eco-friendly alternative to fresh produce and herbs. You do not need a large area of ​​space to get started, and even apartment dwellers can find themselves a gardener as many apartment roofs can be converted from your standard tar to an eco-friendly alternative, such as soil or mulch. Many apartments hold committees throughout; some include a building on-site committee or a social committee – offering the perfect opportunity to voice your opinion on creating an urban farm.

Generally speaking, if you were looking for an urban farm opportunity through the city (for those people living in private accommodations (such as a house) you can turn a small space into a renewable urban farm. the traditional backyard and in turn, created a completely designed garden, featuring many fruits and vegetables (some homes have completely done away with having to produce during climate months entirely) this allows a self-sustaining urban farm, some not even 10-feet by 10-feet large.

Consider planting vegetables to harvest at varying times of the year with your urban farm. Mixing early summer strawberries with later autumn vegetables like squash is the perfect opportunity to have a variety at any time of the year. Also consider planting vegetables (or fruits) for canning, an easy way to save on your winter grocery shopping, while preserving some of your home grown goods at the same time.

Canning options vary greatly, but salsas, chutneys and even sauces (think tomato or pesto) are quick to make, and keep for many months if cannried properly. Including a variety of pickling vegetables in your garden, from cucumbers to beets, carrots to onions, many vegetables taste fabulous when pickled, and some pickled vegetables can keep for years before spoiling.

Whether you're looking for an eco-friendly alternative to traditional produce, or you're simply looking to start eating locally-or in your own backyard-urban farming is an easy way to feed a family, without having to stare at increasing prices , or wonder what's on the produce, that would not be in your urban farm.

Ask basically anyone what materials are recyclable, you'll probably get a very similar list: plastic, paper, aluminum, and glass. While severely a comprehensive list, many groups have worked exhaustively to teach the general public about the recycling triangle, and where to look for it on various items. Unfortunately, this seems to be where the public…

Ask basically anyone what materials are recyclable, you'll probably get a very similar list: plastic, paper, aluminum, and glass. While severely a comprehensive list, many groups have worked exhaustively to teach the general public about the recycling triangle, and where to look for it on various items. Unfortunately, this seems to be where the public service announcement stops; apparently there are plenty of groups who want us to know what we can recycle, but surprisingly few trying to tell us what we really should recycle. What I mean is that there is a vast spectrum of how economically and environmentally viable the recycling of various materials is. While we make judgment calls all day while walking around about what's worth hunting down a recycling bin for, many people do not have the appropriate knowledge to make such a call.

Metal recycling in general and aluminum recycling in particular are extremely viable, efficient forms of recycling. Aluminum recycling is what's referred to as a “closed-loop” process, in which no fillers or adulterants are added during the recycling process. What goes in is exactly what comes out. This means that aluminum recycling is extremely effective in one of recycling's major goals, making it so less less raw, new material is needed. Sadly, our tendency to actually pitch our soda cans in the recycling bin when we're done clocks in at just 50%. We're more likely to recycle office paper, sending it into a process that is relatively inefficient.

This is not to say that metal recycling should collapse office paper, and you should obsess over one or the other. This is purely to say that our economy of convenience could be hurting the recycling industry, and therefore our planet. The discrepancy (about 20%) between our office paper recycling and our aluminum can recycling, can be explained by the fact that many people simply buy a small recycling bin for their office; the solution is right next to the problem. This is rarely the case when we are out and about and finish off a can of soda. While this does mean that owner's of strip -alls and the like could certainly do their part by accompanying trash cans on their property with a recycling bin, we can also do our part by not giving in to sloth. Carry the can a ways; are you going to the grocery store later? If so, hold onto it, lots of grocers have recycling in-house.

Metal recycling does not just stop at aluminum cans either; steel recycling is another form of recycling that is extremely efficient. There is very little loss of quality when steel undergoes the recycling process, and the mining and production costs, both economically and environmentally, of creating new steel is exorbitantly higher than the cost of recycling it. Unlike aluminum, this form of recycling is more a matter of common sense than convenience. When we retire an appliance or other household item that contains steel (the source of most residential steel waste), we usually just have it sent to the dump. Next time, have it sent to the recycling plant; it's just a matter of thinking about everything in terms of whether or not it can be recycled, rather than immediately lumping something into “garbage.”

By increasing our metal recycling, we can save our country millions in fuel costs that would normally go towards producing new material. While it's easy to fall into the mindset that there's always more raw material (untrue in and of itself) people often forget about the other practical benefits of recycling. Next time you're about to toss an aluminum can in the trash, or leave your stainless steel fridge on the curve for the garbage man, try to envision a mining operation, and all the fuel being spent to get new material, when usable material sits at the bottom of a ten-thousand ton mountain of trash. Do not like the cost of gas? This is one way to do something about it.

I bet you have heard it many times – save water … save the planet … But do we really do it? Well, this time I am determined. I will change my habits to save the planet (severely), but to reduce my water footprint and most of all to give a good example to my…

I bet you have heard it many times – save water … save the planet … But do we really do it? Well, this time I am determined. I will change my habits to save the planet (severely), but to reduce my water footprint and most of all to give a good example to my kid. Who knows, he may save the planet one day. While doing my research, I found the “evergreen” rules for water conservation, but also came across some great ideas and tricks on how to conserve water easily. See what I have found and how we can save money by going green. If you have other water saving tips, be welcome to share them here.

How to Conserve Water (Beginners' Level)

Here are those tips and tricks on how to conserve water that are easy to implement. Neither money, nor time investment, nor special preparations are needed. It's just you and your conscious.

Take shorter showers. I should confess I used to be a ten-minute-shower-person. I love long and hot showers. They are so relaxing especially after busy or cold days. But let's face it – more than 21% of the household water use comes from the shower. Not to count the fact that water may run unused till we wait for a good to us temperature. Neverheless, I know I can reduce the minutes under the shower and start relaxing, let's say in a more efficient way.

Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth. That's how you can conserve about 2 gallons of water per brushing.

Skip a shave. If you still have to shave every day, just do not rinse your razor under a running tap, but fill your basin with little warm water.

Do not wash your hair every day . I think this is not only a good how to conserve water tip, it's a good hair maintenance advice too. If you still feel the need to wash your hair every day, why do not you try a different hair cut or style.

Run your dishwasher only when it's full. I used to wash my dishes by hand just because I thought I'd use less water. If you are like me, do not fool yourself. A dishwasher will save you about 10 gallons of water per washing and will use less soap too.

Fully load your washing machine. It will save you about 3 gallons of water for each wash. A front-loading washing machine is more efficient than a top-loading one.

Do not let the tap dripping. Fix leaky sinks and running toilets quickly.

“If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down.” Have you heard this before? This was one of the fresh how to conserve water tips for me. If you do not feel OK with this, why do not you try implementing it during the night? At least you will not wake everyone up when you flush the water.

Use the small flush if you have a dual flush toilet. It is sufficient for just about anything, and when it is not, doing two small flushes is actually better than one big one.

How to Conserve Water (Intermediate Level)

How to conserve water has never been easier, but these water saving tips may require some financial investment. If you are determined to go green and save money as I am, then they deserve at least your attention.

Toilet lid sink. Frankly, this was a real finding for me on how to conserve water in the most practical way. When you wash your hands, water is saved in the tank and is used to flush the toilet next time. It not only saves water, but space too. Note that you can buy only the tank.

Install a low-flow shower head and reduce your shower water use by 20 to 60%.

Instant Off Water Saver. This is another “precious” how to conserve water trick. Practically, Instant Off controls the water. When you push the rod, water starts. Once the rod is released, water stops. This little water saving device is perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, garage sinks and RVs.

Use waterless car wash. So, instead of using 500 gallons of water to wash your car by yourself or 32 gallons at the commercial car wash stations, go for the waterless way and you'll get your car shining like new. Learn more and see products offered at Eco Touch and Freedom.

Collect rainwater from your roof's downspout in a rain barrel to irrigate your garden. In Colorado, there is a law that bans rainwater capture …., but anywhere else, this water saving tip may be sufficient valuable and save lots of gallons of clean water from being spent in watering the garden.

How to Conserve Water (Masters' Level)

Water recycling – greywater and wastewater reuse systems. This how to conserve water idea is of high difficulty and may require big financial investment. Greywater systems take the water from your shower and kitchen (never from the toilet) and redirect it to watering the garden. Learn more at http://greywateraction.org .

Now, knowing how to conserve water, you just need to start doing it. Water and money are both scarce resources. Let's save them thinking of our kids' future.

We are finally realizing that the world has a limited amount of resources. That up until now we have not paid much attention to the world we live in. It is of major concern that we take any and all the necessary steps to change what we have been doing to our home planet “Earth”.…

We are finally realizing that the world has a limited amount of resources. That up until now we have not paid much attention to the world we live in. It is of major concern that we take any and all the necessary steps to change what we have been doing to our home planet “Earth”. The new name for this method of thinking is called Green Living. So new this is to the public that there are no well known places to learn how to go about living a greener life. Hopefully here we can start our make over to the green people we need to become for the sake of our future and our children's future. Up until now there have only been a few people here and there that even talked about the status of our home planet. I think its time for us to give them a hand because it impossible for them to do it all by themselves. We should stop thinking its somebody else's job like we do so many things we come across on a daily basis. Little things like picking up the piece of paper flying down the sidewalk or laying by the curve.

I know that you are saying who am I to be preaching green living. If I were you I was asking the same question. Well I'm just like the major I know little if any about what we're talking about but that's the point we all need to try on what ever level we are at this point to start the conversation where we all can learn how live a greener life. I'm no expert so there wont be any do's and don'ts until we come up them.

So take my word for it learning to live greener will be an up hill battle for us all. Like every other trip it has to start somewhere this will be ours “Greener Living” here we come. I know it will not be easy and sometimes it wont make sense but all we can do is try and that's the first thing you have to do to get anywhere. No more giving it to someone else we know where that leads and it does not look like a pretty picture. Now before we go any further we should make a pledge to our selves form this moment forward we will do our best to live greener.

The term 'living of the grid' refers to an increasingly popular way of life, where individual homeowners aim to supply all their household energy needs without recourse to the established energy grid. Those living off the grid gain their energy from renewable energy sources, like the sun, the wind and the heat of the earth's…

The term 'living of the grid' refers to an increasingly popular way of life, where individual homeowners aim to supply all their household energy needs without recourse to the established energy grid. Those living off the grid gain their energy from renewable energy sources, like the sun, the wind and the heat of the earth's surface, that are free to us all. The result is they have cheaper energy and their energy usage has a much reduced impact on the environment.

The practicability of living off the grid is increasing all the time, mainly due to advances in technology that is making solar panels, wind turbine sand geothermal heat pumps more affordable and reliable for individual households. For this reason the number of people choosing this way of life is rising all the time. People are attracted by the need to do something for the environment. They are also driven by the rapidly increasing prices for traditional energy sources, to look for a cheaper energy solution. Add to this the fact that it has a cool and trendy image at the moment, and I should imagine that the number of American households that are now living off the gird is much higher than the figure of 180,000 that was reported in USA Today in 2006 .

Whilst most people's idea of ​​living off the grid is as described above, purists would argue that to really be 'off the grid' you need to remove yourself from the water grid as well. This means sourcing your own fresh drinking water and disposing of your waste water without recourse to the established system of sewers.

Personally I think it is worth trying to recycle water and collect and use rainwater or any other natural water sources you may have access to. The financial cost of cleaning water and the environmental impact of wasting water is significant. Anything we can all do to reduce water usage and wasteage is important. Recycling your bathwater to water your garden is one good example of what you can do in this regard. I am less convinced that it is possible or indeed desirable for everyone to live without using the sewage system. Sure it is possible for some people, usually those who live in larger properties or in rural areas, but it is not a practical option for most of us.

I believe that over the next decade we will see a massive rise in the number of households that are living off the grid when it comes to their energy needs. Hopefully as well, more and more people will look at harvesting their rainwater and recycling their waste water. As for taking sewage 'off the gird'? Well, I suggest we leave that to the purists.

It seems that barely a week goes by without another report about increasing prices being charged by our established energy companies. As I am writing this article (late summer 2011) one of the major energy companies, here in the UK, have just announced that they will be raising the price of electricity by 4.5% and…

It seems that barely a week goes by without another report about increasing prices being charged by our established energy companies. As I am writing this article (late summer 2011) one of the major energy companies, here in the UK, have just announced that they will be raising the price of electricity by 4.5% and price of Gas by a whopping 15.4%. They will argue that most of this rise is due to the increasing costs of extracting the gas, or the fossil fuels that they use to generate the electricity. They might well be true, but that fact surely goes to highlight the point that traditional energy, using fossil fuels, is becoming more difficult to produce and therefore more expensive.

Your response to news like this is probably similar to many. You will start by trying to reduce your energy usage and more importantly your energy waste. This is all good, I would not stop anyone seeking to conserve a little energy around the home. However this will not lead to that great a saving, unless you really compromise your way of life.

The only real answer to the question of how to reduce your energy bills, it to start using renewable energy sources to start generating some of your own energy. If you are lucky enough to live next to the sea or a river, then you might be able to use water power to generate some energy. However for most of us the three main viable options will be Solar Power, Wind Power or the Heat held in the earth's surface via a ground soruce heat pump.

Linking up a Solar Panel, Wind Turbine or Heat Pump to your domestic heating system will straight away reduce the amount of energy you need to take from the grid, and therefore the cost of your monthly energy bills. Obviously this is where you need to balance your monthly saving against the cost of installing the panel, turbine of pump in the first place. This bit of math often puts homeowners off adding some renewable enrgy sources to their home, when they discover the high cost of buying your panel or turbine from a store and having it installed by contractors.

You can make the math look a whole lot better if you shop around to buy a quality used panel or turbine. Alternately an even better option is to get hold of a DIY manual and build your own solar panel or wind turbine. The process is easier than you think, and can be accomplished for a few hundred dollars. After that original cost your energy is pretty much free from there on, all courtesy of the earths natural resources.

Solar power is free energy from the sun. It is a clean energy choice and a reliable one. It converts sunlight into electricity. Solar panels can be installed at your home or business. When using solar power for your personal utilities, you are reducing the greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Energy Information Administration, “solar…

Solar power is free energy from the sun. It is a clean energy choice and a reliable one. It converts sunlight into electricity. Solar panels can be installed at your home or business. When using solar power for your personal utilities, you are reducing the greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Energy Information Administration, “solar radiation, which is nearly constant outside the Earth's atmosphere, varies with changing atmospheric conditions (clouds and dust) and the changing position of the Earth relative to the sun.”

The amount of sun you will be able to receive for your solar modules will depend upon where you live and your surroundings. For instance, if you live in the mid-west, you may receive 6 to 7 hours of maximum sunlight per day. If you live in the south that is usually flat lands, you may only receive 5 hours max. You probably need a good mile of pasture to get more sunlight. The more sunlight you receive, the more output you will be able to produce from your solar powered system. If you are on a mountain, you will be able to produce more solar power because you would not have any trees around you. The altitude and the vast openness would be to your advantage for solar power.

There are two days a year where you can produce more energy from solar power than other days. That day is a solstice. According to Wikipedia, “a solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice a year when the sun's appearance position in the sky reaches its northernmost or southernmost extremes.” It goes on to say that the path of the sun will come to a stop before reversing direction. It can also refer to the day or date when this happens.

A solstice is a change of seasons at the center of the year. The solstice is mid-June or December. The solstice means the sun is at its highest peak and it is most productive. It will give you the most sunlight and produce more solar power. The tilt of the modules depends upon where you are located. The angle of your modules can change with the seasons, too. Directional devices can help with this by changing the angle of your modules for you.

Why are you still depending on your local utility company? How does the summer solstice affect you? You need to learn about alternative energy in your area of ​​the world where you live.

More and more people are working to do their part to help the environment, as they became aware of just how critical the condition of the economy is. There are a lot of things that people can do to help the environment, but a lot of people have their own personal preferences. Every little bit…

More and more people are working to do their part to help the environment, as they became aware of just how critical the condition of the economy is. There are a lot of things that people can do to help the environment, but a lot of people have their own personal preferences. Every little bit helps when it comes to helping the environment, and almost any action that a person decides to take will be helpful. One of the most common things that people do to help the environment is reduce the amount of waste that they send to the landfill. A lot of the waste that people send to the landfills, can be disposed of in a much more efficient way which will not only help people do their part for the environment, but also help produce something useful.

A lot of people compost to help reduce the amount of trash that their household sends to the landfills. There are a number of ways in which people can go about recycling, but many people have been able to get great results using cheap compost bins. Of course composting can be done the old fashioned way by just piling debris, but most people have found that the whole process can be a lot easier with the help of a compost bin.

Composting bins are especially useful during the holidays when people have a lot of food scraps left over from those big family meals. Instead of being bagged up and thrown away, these scraps can be computed and turned into rich potting soil. Cheap compost bins can provide a great activity for the children in the family. Teaching children the importance of helping the environment, can help spark their interest in recycling at an early age. Recycling table scraps during the Thanksgiving holiday, is just a small part of the overall picture, but it is one of the easiest ways for entire families to get involved with the process.

Although there are several different types of composters, rolling components are among the most popular. These types of composters are so popular because they can easily be turned, allowing for thorough mixing of the contents. The best rolling components are going to be durable, as well as somewhat pleasant to look at. Many of the best rolling components are colorful and interestingly designed.

Buying a composting barrel is one of the best ways for people to do their part to help the environment, and anyone who is serious about doing their part to help the environment should definitely have one.

If you are one of those people constantly searching for techniques of producing your food and may already have your own little organic garden or a coop of chickens, and make your own jelly and bread. Or maybe you are new to these issues, but you're determined to start the route to self-adequacy. Then, aquaponics…

If you are one of those people constantly searching for techniques of producing your food and may already have your own little organic garden or a coop of chickens, and make your own jelly and bread. Or maybe you are new to these issues, but you're determined to start the route to self-adequacy. Then, aquaponics is for you.

Aquaponics is a system for growing organic vegetables and fruits like melons and strawberries, and at the same time raise fresh water fish – and / or other marine creatures – with minimum care, minimum investment and great results. It sounds fantastic, do not you think?

When you install in your backyard an aquaponics system, you're recreating the Mother Nature. The same process you see in a pond with great goldfish and aquatic plants in a lot of parks, could be implemented in your own garden but with edible creatures and edible and delicious plants, filling your diet with good protein and a bunch of vitamins and minerals . And everything is completely free of toxic chemicals, certified by you.

The highlight here is that the aquaponics systems do not use soil to grow vegetables. While the water of the fish tank is circulated inside the grow beds, the roots of the vegetables take all the nutrients they need, result of the decomposition of fish waste, and at the same time by the effect of photosynthesis in the leaves, the roots oxygenate the water that returns to the fish tank.

Bacteria, our protagonists, do all the work, making the tank water, a precious soup. Some systems also include red worms between the media in the grow beds, this little worms break down the solid waste and their vermicompost, a very valuable fertilizer, nourishes the plants.

Aquaponics also encourages creativity and resourcefulness on all levels. It gives everyone the freedom to innovate and improve existing schemas. The materials to use, how to place the elements, the crops to grow, the aquatic species to raise, make the aquaponics project planning a fun task to perform. Moreover, once the system is working the maintenance could be very easy-going as only a few variables have to be monitored.

The more you work on your aquaponics system, the more you will learn from it. In a few weeks' time, you will master the whole system and you will begin to troubleshoot on your own.

And you do not have to spend a lot of cash having specially crafted tanks delivered to your home. If you can find a large tub that can has no cracks and can handle at least two thousand liters of water, you can start your aquaponics project at home. Some people even use large metal plastic barrels and other large containers to house their fish.

Believe me, nothing is more rewarding than seeing aquatic life and plants thriving in an aquaponic system in your own backyard, with full knowledge that it is the result of your determination to provide your family with the best food you can find.

Humankind has gone through an amazing development in technologies over the last several hundred years or so, changing the way most of us live, and dramatically changing the planet in the process. We have been affecting the planet for thousands of years, but never like we are now. And while the industrial revolution of the…

Humankind has gone through an amazing development in technologies over the last several hundred years or so, changing the way most of us live, and dramatically changing the planet in the process. We have been affecting the planet for thousands of years, but never like we are now. And while the industrial revolution of the 1800s and the agricultural revolution of the 1900s has brought prosperity and abundance to a large portion of the world's people, there are huge areas of the planet that have yet to see these benefits.

While many of us now face the task of cleaning up the mess we've made and are trying to mitigate the destructive ways of our past, many societies are in the second and third worlds are still striving to develop the industries and economies we must consider replacing Egypt modifying. These countries, from east Europe, Asia, Africa, to Central and South America, are still struggling in their development and are not interested in slowing development or giving up the benefits of industrialization. Convincing some of them to join the 'green' revolution will be a challenge in many ways. Yet we see China and India both beginning to embrace renewable energy technologies and look seriously at pollution problems as they thoughtfully race to the future.

With every challenge there are opportunities, and with the science, technologies and knowledge that we possess today, I believe that we have the ability to live comfortably on this planet while at the same time wisely using our technologies in thoughtful, less harmful, and more sensible ways that do not destroy our ecosystem. Many of the older technologies that plague us today are based on outdated dependencies on abundant and hence inexpensive fossil fuels. As economics demand new ways of looking at energy use and consumption we will be forced to rethink and redesign these systems that depend on these fuels.

And we will more thinkfully develop technologies and lifestyles that economically support new ways of doing things. Solar thermal systems will become viable because we will design and build houses that are energy efficient and therefore can effectively use such systems.

If most predictions are correct, the learning curve will need to be short and all of us must pitch in. It is my intention to bring to attention and share new opportunities and ways of living gently, yet fully and abundantly on this planet. Hopefully we will all join the team to think about, learn, and implement better ways of living on this beautiful planet, and to help “keep it green”.

Ever spent time on questioning or examining the large global concerns of global warming? Ever wondered what it is more precisely that makes this a problem? Is it really a problem ?! The various opinions and views are constantly being aired in media. There are many variables that add to this concern and equally many…

Ever spent time on questioning or examining the large global concerns of global warming? Ever wondered what it is more precisely that makes this a problem? Is it really a problem ?! The various opinions and views are constantly being aired in media. There are many variables that add to this concern and equally many opinions. Where does it all start?

Global warming most certainly is a problem. The poles are melting and the Earth is getting warmer. There are data that indicates that the Earth is now moving towards a warmer period. This fact leaves some to argument that there is no global warming, it is happening anyways. This is true to a certain extent. It is getting warmer, but the way human beings are treating mother Earth is speeding up the process.

To each individual global warming might seem like an issue so powerful that it leaves to believe that there is nothing one person can do. What difference will it make if I change my habits? Well, it might not seem like much. However, if we all make small changes then it will make a significant difference to the environment.

Only a smaller percentage of the Earth's population has the opportunity to make the choice in making a difference. This is part of the problem. A very low percentage of the Earth's population is over consuming, while the rest is struggling. Many are starving and are busy trying to make it through the day. That leaves a fewer of us that has the option of taking action to help the environment. It is our responsibility to others and future generation to become aware and take action. Especially since we are carrying much of the responsibility of the problem.

One great aspect of starting to become aware and making changes, is that most of the changes will also save money. In today's wild economic climate, decreasing expenses should not be a problem but a solution.

Going green is easy. Start at home. For example, go paperless. Receive your bills electronically makes paying bills much easier and can be safer as well. It is easy and does not take much time. The key to saving green is reduce, reuse, and recycle (in that order). Reduce plastic by buying in bulk (less package) which is usually cheaper. Use reusable glass instead of plastic. Recycle your cans. In doing this, you get the money that was yours to be with back from the merchant. Go green, save the environment, and save on your own budget.

There are many types of commercial mats available to businesses today. There are additional subcategories of mats from which to choose. In short, mats have gone from single function to multipurpose uses. Some of these multipurpose products are highly effective when used as access mats, logo mats, anti fatigue mats, scraper mats and anti static…

There are many types of commercial mats available to businesses today. There are additional subcategories of mats from which to choose. In short, mats have gone from single function to multipurpose uses. Some of these multipurpose products are highly effective when used as access mats, logo mats, anti fatigue mats, scraper mats and anti static mats. What's more, each of these products are now available in an eco-friendly model! These alternatives are eco-friendly yet do not sacrifice functionality.

To begin, one must consider the basic purpose of matting products. This is to reduce the spread of dirt coming from outside and control water accumulation when it is raining. The objective of entrance is to provide a surface that is safe and anti slippery. Mats used indoors are used to protect the floor from wear and tear. They can also be used for decorative purposes, if the user has an artistic perspective. They can be used indoors or outdoors as needed. There are categories in these entrance mats as well.

Some eco-friendly mats are made of 100% PET recycled drinking bottles. These mats help in removing heavy soil indoors and outdoors. These can be placed few meters before entrance to absorb heavy dirt, or placed inside depending upon the traffic level and dirt brought in. They are durable, attractive, and resilient.

Other eco-friendly mats are made of recycled rubber. The objective of these “rubber scraper mats” is to remove large amount of dirt and moisture from the shoes of those who enter the building. These are aesthetically pleasing as well as valuable in terms of dirt and water removal. This type of commercial entry mat is suitable for all types of locations such as pedestrian sidewalks, trolleys or small vehicles.

Other environmentally friendly matting products are used to control dirt and moisture indoors. These products are placed inside building entrance doors to remove any dirt which is leftover from outside optima entrance mats. This commercial entrance floor mat removes dirt more quickly than conventional mats due to the presence of large fiber to remove dirt and small fibers to absorb excess water. These are high performance mats which aesthetically appeal as well from inside. They are 5 to 10 mm thick depending on traffic and 0.7 kg / sqm in weight.

Next, businesses may opt for a cleaning mat or modular mat. These products are mostly used in the entrance of a room to make it clean from fine dirt. They have multiple covered layers for more advanced cleaning. Modular mats, on the other hand, are a combination of flexible design made up of two tile versions. One is scrapper area and inside is aqua version. The reason for 2 tile designs is to use it for scraping as a scrapper area with uneven triangle scrapping blades making best use of soil removal. The scrapper part of this carpet is 17 to 21 mm thick while the aqua part is 5mm thick. Apart from flexible design options, these commercial entrance mats are easy to install on site.

Eco-friendly matting products are becoming more popular as businesses strive to protect our planet. A wide variety of mats are available to these forward-thinking businesses. They may choose high quality products made from rubber, all natural coconut fiber, or recycled plastic. Each material serves a unique purpose, and businesses are encouraged to experiment to find the ideal material for their unique facility!